Food Safety Alert: Shredded Romaine Lettuce Recall

A voluntary recall of shredded bagged romaine lettuce was announced on May 6, 2010 by Freshway Foods of Ohio.

The shredded lettuce recall applies to products with a Use By date of May 12 or earlier, sold to wholesalers, food service outlets, and some in-store salad bars and delis in the following states: Alabama, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

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According to a Freshway Foods press release, if you have purchased romaine from in-store salad bars and delis at Kroger, Giant Eagle, Ingles Markets, and Marsh stores in the states previously listed you should not use or consume the product.

As of May 12, the product has been linked to 23 confirmed cases of E. coli O144 in Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, and New York. Another company, Vaughan Foods of Oklahoma, who obtained lettuce from the same farm, has also issued a recall, although no known illnesses have been associated with the lettuce distributed by Vaughan. The recalled romaine lettuce from Vaughan was distributed to restaurants and food service facilities and was not available for retail purchase by consumers.

The FDA and CDC are continuing the investigation. Symptoms of infection with harmful E. coli may range from none to mild diarrhea to severe complications. The acute symptoms include severe abdominal cramps and diarrhea, which may be bloody. If you have experienced any of the above symptoms after consuming the shredded romaine lettuce in question, see your health care provider immediately.

The recall does not apply to heads of romaine lettuce, bulk, prepacked romaine, or salad mixes containing romaine lettuce purchased from supermarkets.

For additional information, check the FDA and CDC websites or call 888-INFO-FDA.